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U of M president would block stadium-wide alcohol sales

The president of the University of Minnesota says he won't allow the sale of alcohol at the U's new football stadium if a bill requiring it to be sold throughout the stadium passes the legislature.

The U of M wants to sell beer and wine in premium seats and private suites at the TCF football stadium set to open in September. But a House bill now in conference committee at the capitol would allow the sale of alcohol anywhere in the 50,000 seat stadium.

President Robert Bruininks told the university's board of regents today that provision would make it hard to monitor the sale of alcohol to students only of legal drinking age.

"I will not bring a recommendation to the board to serve alcohol in the bowl of stadium," he said. "It's a part of the stadium that will include 20 percent, that is, 20 percent of the fans will be students of the University of Minnesota. So that is not a recommendation you can expect to hear from me."

Even if alcohol isn't sold at the new TCF Stadium, it could still be served in premium seats. Currently alcohol can be served, but not sold, in club rooms on campus as Mariucci and Williams arenas. A spokesperson says the university may consider doing do the same at the new football stadium.